D+

**Disclaimer-- This is not a post saying the Celtics lost due to officiating**

If you would like to rank my grading system, Game 5 against Orlando in the Eastern Conference Finals was an "F". All I'm saying is, lets be realistic, this was an awful showcase in a huge series for the officials to be this bad. The stereotype of the NBA is that the officials are terrible, and this game was no different.

They were extremely inconsistent to say the least. One moment they would be extremely ticky tack, then the next minute they would let contact go. In the first quarter alone, there were nearly 20 personal fouls called. The game finished with 54 personal fouls. Did the players just suddenly start playing better defense? No... The calls were very inconsistent.

The game started where about 30 seconds in, a double tech was handed out to Pierce and Artest. There was absolutely no need for that. Both players went down, and got up. This crap needs to be reviewed and looked at so headcase refs who are in the heat of the moment don't just hand out technical fouls like they are candy.

As for Ray Allen, he wasn't allowed ANY contact on Kobe. Kobe got exactly what he wanted, when he wanted it because no one could touch the guy. Ray's 5th fouls was a joke to say the least, nevermind what the other 4 were...

It was both ways, though. From Derek Fisher not touching Ray, to Ron Artest just sticking his butt out and hitting Ray. That junk is not fouls. This is playoff basketball. The officiating did not allow for a physical game. Who's favor does that work in? The team who plays the finesse game, and not the suffocating defense.

The game was hard to watch from start to finish for an array of reasons, one of which was the "professional" officials.